Viv notices me hovering behind Liam and she grabs another spoon out of the drawer. “Come on, Jude, I want your opinion too.”
With an uneasy laugh, I take the spoon and taste the sauce. The sauce is rich, deeply savory, with layers of tomato and garlic and herbs that have been simmering for hours. “Well, I’m no expert, but that tastes pretty perfect,” I say honestly.
She narrows her eyes. “You’re not just saying that?”
“No, ma’am. I wouldn’t know how to improve it if I tried.”
“Okay, well if all three of you are happy, then I’m happy.” She takes the spoon back, satisfied. “Marco, open another bottle of wine.” She gives a guilty laugh. “I think you almost finished off that other one.”
Marco chuckles. “I believe I only had one glass, dearest.”
Viv winks at me. “That can’t possibly be true.”
Liam catches my eye and grins as he grabs a bottle opener out of a drawer for his dad. There’s something about seeing himin his parents’ kitchen, relaxed and unguarded, that makes my heart ache. I never realized families could be this perfect. So loving. No wonder Liam is a great person. He grew up loved and supported. He grew up believing he could have anything he wanted in life. I grew up thinking the odds were stacked against me, but I fought for a better life all the same.
We sit down to eat at the kitchen table instead of the formal dining room. It’s smaller, more intimate. There’s a red tablecloth and a candle flickers in the center next to a basket of garlic bread. Marco pours the wine and Liam’s mom loads my plate with spaghetti before I can stop her.
“That’s way too much,” I protest.
“Oh, nonsense,” she says, also putting two pieces of garlic toast on the edge of my plate.
I widen my eyes. “Seriously. I’ll never be able to eat that much food.”
“Don’t be silly.” She shakes her head. “You’re too thin, Jude. Do you skip meals? I’ll bet you do.”
“Mom, don’t nag him,” Liam says.
I frown, looking down at my body. “I’m not skinny. I’m a normal weight.”
She raises her brows. “That can be true. You’re skin and bones.”
I laugh. “Not really.” Yes, I’m on the lean side, but I’m not unhealthily thin.
She sighs, looking almost disappointed in me. “I guess just eat what you can.”
I don’t respond. I just stare uneasily at the pile of food on my plate. I’ll be lucky if I can make even a dent.
“Go on, don’t just look at your food, Jude,” Viv says. “You don’t want it to get cold.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I pick up my fork.
Liam smothers a laugh behind his wine glass and I give him a dirty look.
Even if I have no hope of finishing it, the spaghetti is outstanding. I’ve never had handmade noodles before and they’re definitely a step above boxed pasta. The sauce is tangy and the meatballs are dense, but tender and perfectly seasoned. Every time I take a bite, Viv gives me an approving nod.
“I expect this weather is very different from Atlanta.” Viv says, wiping the side of her mouth with her napkin.
I nod. “It’s probably more like autumn in Atlanta right now. Definitely more humid. The temperatures will dip next month, but it won’t be anything like here.”
“Do you prefer the weather there?” she asks.
I shake my head. “No, I prefer the weather here. I like the snow and the cold temperatures. Maybe that’s weird, considering I was born in Florida and lived in Georgia for so long. But it’s the truth.”
“That’s great.” She smiles. “Then maybe you’ll stay in Golden Peak.”
I return her smile, but I don’t comment. I have no idea what the future holds.
“How did you get into law enforcement?” Marco asks.
